MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State men's basketball team saw several key contributions Saturday evening at Taylor Center as the Mavericks bested the Augustana Vikings 90-79.

With the win, MSU improves to 5-2 on the season, including a 2-0 NSIC record. With the loss, AU falls to 6-3, including a 1-2 league record. MSU's win also snapped a five-game losing streak to the Vikings.

Sophomore Kevin Krieger paced the Maverick offense with a career-high 29 points as he shot 9-of-11 from the field and 7-of-8 from the free throw line. Sophomore Cameron Kirksey added 17 points and four rebounds, while senior Charlie Brown notched 14 points, four rebounds and four assists. Junior Cole Harper hauled in a team-best nine rebounds and junior Karson Arrenholz added nine points off the bench behind of 3-of-3 showing from long range.

As a team, MSU shot 54.7% (29-of-53) from the field, including a 13-of-25 (.520) performance from long range. The Mavericks also passed out 14 assists and shot 21-of-27 (.778) from the free throw line.

Jordan Spencer led the Viking offense with 29 points and three assists, while Marcus Asmus tallied nine points and seven rebounds. As a team, AU shot 50% from the field, but also committed 17 turnovers.

The Mavericks led throughout most of the first half, which included their largest lead of the half at 24-15 with just under 12 minutes to play. Augustana was able to chip away at MSU's lead and eventually retook the lead at 38-37 with 3:36 to go in the half. AU managed to build a four-point lead in the closing minutes but four points from Krieger in the final 1:21 knotted up the score at 43-43 as both teams went into the locker room.

Krieger led all scorers in the first half with 15 points, while Kirksey added 11. As a team, MSU shot 57.1% from the field in the opening stanza, including a 7-of-12 showing from behind the arc.

The second half saw the Mavericks hold the lead for more than 16 minutes. A three pointer from Arrenholz put the Mavericks up for good at 50-47 with 15:57 to go in the game. Minnesota State would lead by at least three points the rest of the way as they closed out the game with a 90-79 win.

Minnesota State returns to action on the road this Friday as it takes on the Winona State Warriors. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.

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